MINERS’ STRIKE CONTINUES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1921, Page 5

MINERS’ STRIKE CONTINUES.

BREAK-UP OF TRIPLY ALLIANCE. LABOR NEWSPAPER’S VIEW. “HEAVIEST DEFEAT TO LABOR " Received April 17, 5.5 p.m . London, April 15. The miners’ strike continues, but ii

drawal of the railwaymen’s and the transport workers’ support from the miners will result in the breaking up of the Triple Alliance, and will also cause dissension in the railwaymen’s and transporters’ unions, several branches of which are already protesting bitterly against the cancellation of the strike and the desertion of the miners.

Fife miners are extensively looting coal stacks, and over £20,000 worth of coal has been taken.

The Daily Herald (Labor newspaper) says: “Yesterday’s was the heaviest defeat that has befallen the Labor movement within the memory of man. It is useless trying to minimize it. One misunderstanding or mistake, such as Mr. Hodges made, -would not have stopped the strike and brought about the present disaster. Not* one, not a hundred, not a thousand such trivialities could have affected the issue if the whole movement had been solid in its organisation and understanding. That is where the fatal weakness lies. What we need is new machinery and a new spirit; the old machinery failed in the hour of emergency. Out of this crash can come a bigger and better fight on broader lines. Sectionalism is the weakness of the Labor movement and must be discarded.”

The Morning Post says recent events undoubtedly impressed the public mind that the time has come when powerful trade unions must be taught that it is not their business to govern the country, and means must be found to restrain their operations within legitimate limits. Tfie great trade unions have combined to impose a new tyranny on the community and usurp the functions of Parliament.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.